There's nothing quite like a great movie soundtrack. Watching a good movie is exciting enough, but when a certain scene is punctuated by a particularly poignant song—or even just an old favorite—it makes the experience all the more special. In fact, lots of movies are well-known and loved because of their soundtracks, like 2011's Drive, which is virtually synonymous with Kavinsky's "Nightcall," or 2016's Moonlight, which features everyone from Aretha Franklin to Jidenna.
The right music can enhance the emotions in a movie scene, from the romantic to the terrifying. And if the wrong song is paired with the wrong scene—well, all bets are off. 'Tis the season for Oscar-bait releases, meaning great flicks (and predictably great soundtracks) are coming to theaters near you. But before you hit up the half-price matinee (or the late-night premiere), let's look back at some of the best movie soundtracks of all time. These are the classics that set the stage for the next generation of amazing movies and their soundtrack counterparts.
So, let's celebrate the superior sounds of cinema with The Best Movie Soundtracks of All Time. Before anyone screams out, "Yo, where da fuck is da Godfather ova heah?!" we're talking strictly songs, no scores (that's another list!). So what takes the prize? Keep reading to find out.